EVGA 8800GT 512MB Superclocked Edition Review

Conclusion

I may as well just come out and say it: what we have here is the pinnacle of modern graphics card design and ingenuity. Nvidia has released a product that is absolutely stunning in every meaning of the word and with the 8800GT Superclocked Edition, EVGA has done nothing but improve on it every step of the way. What they have done is made an excellent graphics card even better by overclocking it while maintaining their Lifetime Warranty and adding a pretty good software package to boot. The frame rates this card put out are like nothing I have ever seen in at this price point and to make matters even better for Nvidia, ATI is still weeks away from releasing their own renewed assault on the enthusiast market. Nvidia has really hit the nail on the head with this one. If their board partners like EVGA can keep the retail channel stocked with parts, this is the start of a money-making bonanza for everyone involved because the consumers will but these cards in droves. Even as I write this, forums are ablaze with people who want to buy this card so this is a good start.

I can’t say that I am completely happy with this card though. It isn’t because of a lack of performance but rather I despair for everyone who bought an 8800GTS 320MB card within the last few weeks. Unfortunately, the 8800GT utterly destroys it in every game and benchmark we ran. Perhaps the situation will improve a bit once new drivers are released for the earlier 8800-series cards but even then, the 8800GT will be head and shoulders above anything else in its price range.

So, here we are in the conclusion of this marathon-like review and I have to say that it was worth every sleepless second. EVGA has a hell of a card here and their price for a pre-overclocked 8800GT beats the prices set by many of their competitors for stock-speed cards. Add to that their Lifetime Warranty (yes, it is so good it bears mentioning again) and their very unique Step-Up program and their card truly is a diamond in the rough. Bravo EVGA and bravo Nvidia for showing us the way!

Pros:

- Incredible price
- Performance is through the roof
- Pre-overclocked
- Lifetime Warranty
- Step-Up program
- Good bundle

Cons:

- Runs a bit warm
- Possible limited availability at launch (TBD)